Combined terminal box and switch-support.



C. H. BISSELL.

COMBINED TERMINAL BOX AND SWITCH SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22,1911.

1,179,498. Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

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WITNESSES C. H. BISSELL.

COMBINED TERMINAL BOX AND SWITCH SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1911.

1,1 79,498. Patented Apr. 18. 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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A T T ORNE VJ c. H. BISSEL L. COMBINED TERMINAL BOX AND SWI TCH SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FI LED JUNE 22, 1911.

Patented Apr. 18, 1916.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' NTOA.

A TTORNE V.

Y C. H. BISSE LL. v COMBINED TERMINAL BOX AND SWITCH SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22, 1911.

1 ,179,498. Patented Apr. 18,1916.

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C. H. BISSELL.

COMBINED TERMINAL BOX AND SWITCH SUPPORT.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 22. I911. 1,179,498. Patented Apr. 18 1916.

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- Syracuse, in the county of the locking means tions of the box together,

' cent 11'. BISSELL, or SYRACUSE,

a vertical sectional I ing also shown.

' the box, a

. connected to the Um T D STATES PATENT orrron.

0F SYRACUSE, NEW YORK,

NEW YORK, nssrenon. 'ro CROUSE-HINDS COMPANY,

A CORPORATION or new YORK.

COMBINED TERMINAL BOX AND SWITCH-SUP PORT. I

Application filed Junie 22, 1

To all whom it may concern:

Beit known that I, CARL H. Biss'nnn, of of Onondaga, in the State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Combined Terminal Box and Switch-Support, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object the pro-' duction of a combined terminal box and switch support particularly applicable for use in mines or 'other places where there are i itible gases; and it consists in the combinations and constructions hereinafter set forth and claimed.

In describing this inventionreference is had to the accompanying drawings in which j of a preferable embodiment of Fig. 2 is aside elevation 3 is a plan view, partly of the box and contents, when broken away, my invention. thereof. Fig. broken away,

i the {movable section is in its open position. 25 i Fig. 4 is a'vertical sectional view of the box and parts carried thereby. Fig. 5 is view of parts seen in face view-of the socket for locking the secand contiguous is aview similar to'Fig. 6,

of the locking means he- Fig. 8 is anenlarged sectional view through the plug socket and contiguous parts, the plug being shown in the socket and a portion 'of the handle being also shown. Fig. 9 is a side elevation, partly broken away, of the box and 'mechanism located inside and outside thereof.

This invention comprises, generally, a switch box, a terminal or contact within movable switch located within the box, manually operated means for operating the switch including a handle located onthe outside of the box, a plug socket supported by the box, and open to the exterior thereof and having a terminal therein first-mentioned terminal, locking means'located on the exterior of the box for normally holding the switch in its open position, the lockin means being exposed to the interior of t e socket, and a plug movable in the socket and having Fig. 3. Fig. 6 1s a parts. Fig. 7 additional parts -means for operating the locking means to Specification of Letters Patent.

Q The box is flame proof shaft 17 journaled 911. -Seria1No. 634,770.

permit the closing of the switch afterthe plug has been inserted in the socket.

, and preferably composed of a fixed section 1 and a movable section 2'which closev tightly together, one of the sections, as the movable section, havmg ventilators 3 which are provided with suitable meansas gauze for preventing the escape of burning gases to the outside .of the box. Switch contacts or terminals arezcarried by one of the sections, and-amovabl'e switch carried by the other of such sections.

' In the illustrated embodiment of my invention the section 2 is-hinged. at 4 to the lower end of the section contacts or terminals 5 are carried by the fixed section 1 and the switch is carried by the hinged section 2. Theswitch, as here shown, comprises a supporting yoke 6 pivoted at and mounted-on a rock shaft to be described at the other side of the section 2, blocks of insulation 8 carried by the cross bar 9 of the yoke, 11 carried by each block of insulation, and fuses 1'2 connecting the terminals or contacts of each set.

The terminals 11 are pivoted at 13 to contacts or terminals 14 mounted on a' block of insulation 15 supported by the section 2, the pivot 13 being alined with the pivot 7 of the switch supporting the yoke 6. The terminals 10 are movable intoand out of contact with; the contacts 5 which are connected to feed wires. Although the switch illustrated comprises fuses and is of multiple construction, any form of switch may be used.

- The switch is operated by. suitable means, here shown .as a handle 16, located on the outside of the case and mounted ona rock in the section 2 of the Patented Apr. 18, 1916. .1

1 and the switch 7 to one side of the section 2 7 a set of terminals or contacts 10, v

case and arranged coaxially with the switch yoke 6, one of the side arms of the yoke 6 being mounted on and fixed to the inner end of such rock shaft in order 'to receive the rocking movement therefrom. -The box is also provided with means for lockingthe sections 1, 2 thereof together, and meansis provided whereby the switch is prevented from being. closed when said locking means is init's unlocked position and whereby un locking of thelockn'g means is prevented when the switch"'isclosed.

The locking means comprises a socket 18 carried'within the section 1 and having a non-circular contracted entrance 19, and arock shaft 20 journaled in a bearing 21 in the section 2, the rock shaft extending forwardly and rearwardly relatively to the sec- ;tions 1 and 2 and crosswise of the axes 4, 7 and 13, and having non-circular means 22 at its inner end for fitting the contracted entrance 19 of the socket 18 and interlocking with the socket 18 after said means 22 has passed through the entrance 19. The rock shaft 20 is also provided with a handle 23 at its outer end, the handle being preferably provided with a cam face 24 coacting with a complemental cam face 25, Figs. 2 and 4, provided on the box and operating to cause the shaft 20 to move endwise during the rocking thereof, such endwise movement being against the action of a spring 26 when the handle is operated to move the shaft in one direction and being effected by the spring in the oposite direction when the handle is returned to its normal position. The rocking of the shaft is for the purpose of alining the means 22 with the contracted entrance 19. Said means 22, as here shown. consists of a transversely extending pin at one end of the rock shaft, and the contracted entrance of the socket 19 consists of radial slots located on diametrically opposite sides of a circular opening for the shaft 20, Fig. 6.

The means operated by the locking means or the rock shaft 20 thereof for preventing the closing of the switch when the locking means is in its unlocked position, that is, when the pin. 22 is turned in' alinement with the radial slots of the contracted entrance 19 but is located in the socket 18, comprises an eccentric portion or rock arm 27, Figs. 1, 3, 4, 5, 7 and 9, movable into the path of the cross bar 9 of the yoke 6 when the switch is in its open position, Fig. 4, and thereby preventing the movement of such cross bar 9 and consequently of the switch; and the means for preventing the turning" of the rock shaft 20 to aline the pins 22 with the slots of the contracted entrance 19, comprises the cross bar 9 which is in engagement with the eccentric portion or rock arm 27 when the switch is closed, Fig. 9. Thus the eccentric portion 27 moves into the path of the cross bar 9 when the switch is open, and the cross bar 9 moves into the path of the eccentric portion 27 when the switch is closed, so that when the switch is closed it must be opened by operating the handle 16, in order to release the rock shaft 20 and permit the handle 23 to be operated .and the section 2 of the box to be opened into the position shown in Fig. 3, and when the section 2 is open the switch handle 16 cannot be operated until the shaft 20 is rocked to its locked position. v

Means is provided for preventing the secfrom being swung into its closed position or 1 in such near approximation thereto that arcing might take place between the contacts 5 and 10. Said means comprises extensions 28 provided on the socket 18 in advance of the contracted entrance 19 thereof in position to engage the pin 22 and prevent further closing movement of the section 2 after the pin 22 has. engaged said extensions 28, it being understood that the engagement of the pin 22 and extensions 28 takes place only when the rock shaft has been turned to its locking position when the section 2 is in the position occupied in Fig. 3. The extensions 28 are in effect an elongation of the contracted entrance 19. A plug socket 29 is supported by the section 2 of the box and a portion thereof extends into the box 1 Figs. 1 and 8 but is shut off from'the interior of the section 2, and a portion thereof is located on the outside of the box and open to the exterior thereof in order to permit the insertion of the plug 30.

Terminals 31 are located within the socket and fixed to the inner end wall 32 thereof, such wall being of insulation and absolutely closing the interior of the socket to the interior of the box. The terminals 31 are secured in position by means of screws 33 passing through said wall 32 and having binding devices at their inner ends by means of which conductors 34 are secured thereto. These conductors 34 are connected to the contacts or conductors 14. The plug 30 is provided with conductors or contacts 35 for engaging the terminals 31, said conductors 35 being suitably connected to binding devices 36 to which are connected the wires 37, which conduct the current to the point of use.

Means is provided for normally preventing the closingof the switch operated by the handle 16 until the plug 30 has been inserted in the socket, and said means is located on the outside of the box and is supported by the section 2 thereof, and preferably comprises a pivoted latch 38, Figs. 8 and 9, located adjacent to the socket 29, said latch 38 coacting with a radially extending shoulder 39 provided on the rock shaft 17 and normally preventing movement of the rock shaft. Said latch 38 is provided with a projection 40 exposed to the interior of the socket in order to be engaged by a cam 41 on the plug 30 as the plug 30 approaches the limit of its movement into the socket.

The latch 38 and portion of the shaft provided with the shoulder 40 are inclosed in a suitable housing 42 so that they cannot be tampered with from the outside of the box, and the socket 29 is provided with means,

as a shoulder 43, for engaging such housing and limiting the movement of the plug 30 into the socket 29. For preventing the insertion of the plug 30 into the socket 29 in case the latch 38 is raised to release the handle 16, by inserting the finger or other instrument into the socket 29, and engaging the projection 40 on the latch 38, the handle 16 is provided with a rock arm 44 having a shield 45 which obstructs the entrance of the socket 29 to the plug 30 after the handle has been operated to close the switch, the shield 45 being of such extent as to engage the shoulder 43 before the conductors 35 are close to the terminals 31. The plug 80 and socket 29 are usually of greater depth than width andowing to the fact that the plug 30 is formed with aprojecting cam 41 on one side, the insertion of the plug in inverted position is prevented owing to the fact that the cam 41 will engage the outer end edge of the socket at 46 should such an attempt be made.

This apparatus is particularly advantageous in that it cannot possibly be operated to exposed the atmosphere around the same, to arcs formed while making and breaking circuits.

What I claim is:

1. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section, and a movable section, a switch contact carried by one of the sections,'a movable switch member carried by the other of the sections, means for operating the switch member including a handle, means for locking the sections together including a handle, and a part operated by the locking means and movable thereby into the path of the switch member when the switch member-is in its open position and the locking means is movedto its unlocked position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

2. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section, and a movable section, a switch contact carried by one of the sections, a movable switch member carried by the other of the section's, means for operating the switch member including a handle, means for locking the sections together including a handle, a part operated by thelocking means and movable into the path of the switch member when the switch member is in its open position and the, locking means is moved to its unlocked position, the switch member being arranged to move into the path of said part, when the locking means is in its locked position,

position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

3. The combination of a switch box comthereby v and the switch member is in itsclosedprising a fixed section and a movable section, a switch contact carriedby one of the sections, a movable switch member carried by the other of the sections including" a contact movable into and out of engagement with the first contact, means for locking the sections together, means for operating the switch member, and means operated by the locking means and movable into the path of the open switch memberwhen the locking means is moved to its unlocked position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

4. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section and a movable section, sections, and a switch member carried by the other ofthe sections including a contact movable into and out of engagement with the first contact, means for-locking the sections together, means for operating the switch member, switch member and movable into the path of the locking means when the switch member is closed and the locking means is in its locked position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

5. The combination of a switch box comand means operated by the i prising a fixed section and a movable section, a switch contact carried by one of the sections, a movable switch member carried by the other of the sections including a contact movable into and out of engagement With the first contact, means for locking the sections together, means for operating the switch member, means operated by the locking means for, preventing the closing of the switch member when the locking means is in its unlocked position, and means operated by the switch member for preventing the unlocking of the locking means when the switch member is closed, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

6. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section and a movable sec: tion, a contact carried by one of the sections, a switch member carried by the other of the sections including a contact movable into and out of engagement with the first contact, locking means for holding the sections together, and means for operating the switch member, the locking means including a part movable into the path of the open switch member when the locking means is in its unlocked position, and the switch member having a part movable into thepath of the locking means for preventing movement thereof when the switch member is closed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

7 The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section and a movable section, contact carried by one of the sections, a switch member carried by the other of the sections including a contact movable into and out of engagement with the first contact, manually operated means for locking the sections together, manually operated means including a handle on the outside of the box for operating the switch member, means associated with the locking means for holding the switch member open when said locking means is in its unlocked position, means associated with the switch member for preventing the unlocking of the locking means when the switch member is closed, the locking means operating to prevent the closing of the sections when the switch member has been moved to its operative position prior tothe closing of the sections, substantially as and for the purpose described.

8. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section and a movable section, a switch contact carried by the-fixed section, a movable switch member carried by the movable section including a contact movable into and out of engagement with the first contact, and means for locking the sections together includinga rock shaft having an eccentric portion thereon movable into the path of the switch member when the switch member is in its open position, and

the locking means is in its unlocked position, and the switch member having a portion movable into the path of the eccentric portion of the rock shaft when the switch member is closed, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

9. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section and a movable section, contact-carried by oneof the sections, I

a switch member carried by the other of the sections including a contact movable into and out of engagement with the first contact, and means for locking the sections together comprising a rocking part carried by the movable section and having means for interlocking with complemental means provided on the fixed section, and means operable by the rocking part by unlocking the sections and movable into the path of the switch member when the switch member is open, substantially as and for the purpose set forth. c

10. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section and a movable sec tion, contact carried by one of the sections, a switch member carried by the other of the sections including a contact movable into and out of engagement with the first contact, and means for locking the sections together comprising a socket carried by the fixed section and having a non-circular entrance, and a rock shaft carried by the movable section and having a non-circular portion for passing through the entrance of the socket into interlocking engagement with the socket, the rock shaft being provided with an eccentric portion movable by unlocking the sections into the path of the the sections together comprising a rock shaft'extending forwardly and rearwardly .;of the sections crosswise of the axis of the hinge thereof, means operable by the rock shaft and movable into the path of the switch member when the switch member is open and thelocking means is in its unlocked position, the switch member being movable into the path of the locking means when the switch'is closed when the locking means is in locked position, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

12. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section and a movable section hinged to the fixed section, a switch member contact carried by. the fixed section and a switch member pivoted to the movable section and arranged with its axis parallel to the axis of the hinge the switch including a contact movable into and out of engagement with the first contact, means for operating the switch member comprising a handle located on the outside of the movable section, a socket carried within the fixed section and having a non-circular contracted entrance, and a rock shaft carried by the movable section and extending forwardly and rearwardly of the sections crosswise of the axes movable into the path of said rock arm when the switch member is closed, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

' 13. The combination of a flame proof box, a terminal in the box, a movable switch within the box, a plug socket supported by.

the box and being open to the exterior of the box and shut ofi from the interior thereof, ,a terminal located in the socket and connected to the terminal in the box, a handle located on the outside of the box for operating the switch, locking means for normally holding the switch in its open position, the locking means being located on theexterior of the box, and a plug movable in the socket into engagement with the terminal therein and having means for moving the locking means out of operative position, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

14. The combination of a flame proof box, a terminal within the box, a'movable switch within the box, a socket supported by the box"and being open to the exterior of the box, and shut off from the interior thereof, a terminal located in the socket and connected to the terminal in the box, a handle located on the outside of the box for operating the switch, locking means for normally holding the switch in its open position, the locking means being located on the exterior of the box, a housing carried by the box and inclosing the locking means, and a plug movable in the socket into engagement with the terminal therein and having means for moving the locking means out of operative position, substantially as and for the purpose described.

15. The combination of a box,;a terminal within the box, a movable switch located within the box, means for operating the switch comprising a rock shaft, and a handle mounted on the rock shaft on the outside of the box, the rock shaft being provided with a radially extending shoulder, a pivoted latch normally coacting with said shoulder, and the box being formed with a plug socket adjacent to the latch, and a plug movable with the socket, and the socket having an opening for exposing the latch to the interior of the socket in position to be engaged by the plug and moved out of operative positionas the plug is forced into the socket, substantially as and for the purpose specified.

16. The combination with a flame proof box, a terminal in the box, a movable switch in the box, a socket supported by the box and being open to the exterior of the box and shut off from the interior thereof, means for operating the switch comprising a rock shaft and a handle mounted on the rock shaft on the outside of the box, the rock shaft being provided with a radially extending shoulder located on the outside of the box, a latch for coacting with said shoulder and located on the outside of the box, and the box being formed with a plug socket adjacent to the latch, a plug movable into the socket, and the socket having an opening for exposing the latch to the interior of the socket into position to be engaged by the plug and moved out of operative position as the plug is forced into the socket, and a housing carried by the box and inclosing the latch and portion of the rock shaft provided with the shoulder, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

17. The combination of a flame proof box,

a terminal in the box, a movable switch in the box, a. handle located on the outside of the box for operating the switch, a plug socket supported by the box and being open to the exterior of the box, a terminal located in the socket and connected to the terminal in the box, a plug movable in the socket into engagement with the terminal therein, the socket and plug being of such form in crosssection that the plug is received in the socket only in a predetermined position, and the plug being provided with means for limiting the movement thereof into the socket, and means operable by the handle for obstructing the entrance of the socket when the handle is operated prior to the insertion of the plug, said means extending into the path of the limiting means of the plug, substantially as and for the purpose set forth.

18. The combination of a switch box comprising a fixed section .and a movable section, a terminal carried by one of the sections, a terminal and a movable switch carried by the other of the sections, the switch being connected to the last-mentioned terminal and movable into and out of engagement with the first-mentioned terminal, a plug socket supported by the box and being open to the exterior of the box andshut off from the interior thereof, a terminal located in the socket and connected to one of the terminals'within the box, means for locking the sections together comprising a handle located on the outside of the box, means for operating the switch comprising a handle located on the outside of the box, means operated by the locking means for preventing the closing of the switch when the locking means is in its unlocked position, means operated by the switch for preventing the unlocking of the locking means when the I switch 'is closed, locking means located on the exterior of the box for normally holding the switch in open position, the lastmentioned locking means being exposed to the interior of the socket, a housing carried on the exterior of the box for inclosing the last-mentioned locking means, and a plug CARL H. BISSELL.

Vitnesses:

M. E. MAYHAR, WM. CORNELL BLANDING. 

